Rate update: Trade deal blues

 Interest Rates, Residential Mortgage  Comments Off on Rate update: Trade deal blues
Dec 132019
 

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By G. Steven Bray

In the last week, bond markets pretty much have confirmed that the only thing that matters is the trade dispute with China. Last Fri, we got a blowout jobs report. In previous times, rates might have jumped at least an eighth of a point in response. This time – nothing. Wed, Fed head Powell said the Federal Reserve won’t raise short-term rates unless inflation moves up significantly. Given that inflation seems mired below the Fed’s target rate, that comment should have caused jubilation in bond world leading to lower rates. Did it? Nope.

Now to be totally honest, both events did cause short term ripples within the markets, but rates never left their current range. It seems pretty obvious that traders are waiting for something before placing their bets on higher or lower rates.

That something is real factual news about the trade dispute. New tariffs are scheduled to begin this Sunday, and this time the tariffs target consumer products.

You can understand traders’ reluctance to pick a side. Many analysts believe the new tariffs, as proposed, will sap consumer demand. The American consumer has been the sustaining force in the economy this year. It doesn’t matter how good the economic data was last month. If the tariffs go into effect, it’s possible the data turns negative next month.

Now, it’s certain that the Trump Administration recognizes this. It’s also certain that the Chinese recognize the intense pain the tariffs could cause it’s already faltering economy. Thus, both sides have an incentive to announce a last minute reprieve, and it appears today they’ve done so. But the bigger question still remains: Will we get a trade deal?

Rate update: All I want for Christmas is a trade deal

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Dec 042019
 

For more information, please contact me at (512) 261-1542 or steve@LoneStarLending.com.

By G. Steven Bray

I hope you and your family had a blessed Thanksgiving. It was a fairly uneventful one for bond markets with interest rates sticking to their recent range. In fact, rates have been stuck in this range since Sep. Sure, rates move a little week to week in response to headlines and economic data, but I still think the next trend for rates ultimately depends on a trade deal with China, an imminent resolution to which is looking increasingly unlikely.

The main wildcard at this time is the global economy. Earlier in the year, rates dipped invitingly based on weak economic data coming out of Europe and China. There was great concern that the US economy would follow suit. Instead, the US economy, except for manufacturing, showed resillence and even robustness in sectors such as housing. Europe and China now seem to be bottoming out, and some analysts are predicting renewed global growth next year.

As we’ve discussed many times, a growing economy tends to push up interest rates, so that’s the background through which we have to consider our current situation. A trade deal, even a partial one, is likely to foster renewed optimism and, in turn, economic growth. On the other hand, should the trade dispute deepen, it’s likely the hand-wringing and talk of recession will start again. While that’s good for lower interest rates, we risk talking ourselves into a recession regardless of the strength of our economy.

Rate update: Two reasons interest rates will remain flat this week

 Interest Rates, Residential Mortgage  Comments Off on Rate update: Two reasons interest rates will remain flat this week
Nov 122019
 

For more information, please contact me at (512) 261-1542 or steve@LoneStarLending.com.

By G. Steven Bray

I’ve been writing for months about my concern about the Chinese trade dispute and its potential to move interest rates. Last week presented a poster child case for my concern. Rumors circulated that the US would rescind some tariffs and forego the planned Dec tariffs to induce the Chinese to sign phase one of a trade deal. Bond traders reacted swiftly to push rates to their highest levels in 3 months. Remember that resolving the trade dispute is considered good for the economy, and a healthy economy supports higher interest rates.

As we start this week, it looks like markets may be taking a breather. President Trump wouldn’t confirm the tariff rumors, and most of the other issues that had been weighing on rates – slowing world economies, Brexit, the impeachment battle – are far from settled. So, hitting pause makes sense while markets wait for a new source of inspiration.

I doubt we’ll get it this week, but we will have a couple candidates:

  • We’ll get two heavy-weight economic reports this week: the Consumer Price Index (CPI) measuring inflation and the Retail Sales Report. Inflation has remained muted this year, and few, including the Fed, expect that to change. Retail sales, an indicator of the consumer side of the economy, have remained solid despite the trade dispute, and most expect that to continue. If either report deviates significantly from expectations, expect interest rates to move accordingly.
  • Second, Fed head Powell has two days of Congressional testimony this week. Given that Powell had a press conference following the Fed’s meeting two weeks ago, I don’t expect he’ll reveal anything during his testimony that will move rates. However, markets will be vigilant just in case.